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Millions of people visit Florida to experience its natural wonders, including beautiful beaches, mangroves, wetlands and coral reefs. These areas provide a habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, many rare or endangered. The parks and conservation areas created to protect Florida's wildlife are the main focus of the state's eco-tourism industry, but increasing numbers of accommodations, attractions and tour operators are responding to the demand for responsible tourism.

Sustainable Tourism

Tourism is vital to Florida's economy, but for it to be sustainable, natural resources must be protected and negative impact from visitors reduced. The Department of Environmental Protection (dep.state.fl.us) has overall responsibility for this stewardship. The Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems safeguards coastal dunes and replenishes eroded beaches, while the Division of Recreation and Parks oversees more than 160 state parks.

Eco-Friendly Accommodations

Visitors can choose among dozens of Florida campgrounds and RV parks, and primitive camping is permitted in most national parks in the state. Florida has operated a voluntary Green Lodging Program since 2004, and it recognizes hotels and guesthouses that make a genuine commitment to protecting the state's natural resources. Accommodations are assessed for energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction, as well as for their efforts to educate visitors. Pristine Properties (visitfloridabeaches.com) lists eco-friendly vacation rental properties.

Typical Weather

Florida in

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The temperature in Florida in December tends to be very predictable, so you can generally count on the forecast and travel light.

The temperature in Florida in December is somewhat unpredictable, so be on the safe side and prepare for a variety of conditions.

The temperature in Florida in December is highly unpredictable, so use the forecast as a guide, but be ready for anything!

Protected Areas

Florida has 11 national parks, including Everglades National Park, which is a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. In these protected areas, visitors can view rare and endangered species, such as sea turtles and manatees, and enjoy leisure pursuits that make a minimal impact on the environment. Canaveral National Seashore, on Florida's Space Coast, offers year-round water sports, including swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing and boating, as well as nature trails and cultural attractions such as Seminole Rest interpretive park. The entire Florida Keys archipelago is a national marine sanctuary, with over a century of commitment to environmental stewardship. The fragile reef off the Keys is protected within John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park (pennenkamppark.com), where you can snorkel, scuba dive or take a glass-bottom boat tour.

Eco-Beaches

In Florida's coastal state parks, such as Bill Baggs Cape Florida National Park, you'll find unspoiled and uncrowded eco-beaches. They not only provide a wildlife habitat for indigenous shore birds and sea turtles, but also support recreational activities such as hiking, nature watching and water sports. Perdido Key, with its white sand beaches, is one of Florida's top swimming spots, and St. Joseph Peninsula National Park is a favorite with kayakers.

Attractions and Activities

Florida's large-scale eco-attractions include SeaWorld Orlando (seaworld.com/orlando), and Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com) in Tampa. These parks combine conservation and education with fun. Forever Florida eco-reserve (floridaecosafaris.com) has a similar ethos. It raises funds for conservation work through tourist activities such as horseback safaris, zip-line adventures and open-air coach safaris. Other wildlife activities include dolphin tours in central Florida (floridadolphintours.com), which offer the chance to swim with the dolphins, and Everglades tours with Manatee Sightseeing Eco-adventures (see-manatees.com). To learn more about Florida's history and heritage, visit a preservation museum such as Fort East Martello Museum (kwahs.com) or St. Augustine Lighthouse Museum (staugustinelighthouse.com). Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden (kwbgs.org) is a living museum full of rare birds and endangered flora and fauna.

About the Author

Based in Scarborough, U.K., Carole Simm started writing in 1998. She has authored training programs, marketing materials and website content. Simm also blogs for SuperGreenMe and Eventim. She studied publishing at Napier College, Edinburgh, and has a first-class Bachelor of Arts in tourism management from the University of Hull.